Van Halen / Ted Templeman Author Greg Renoff

[@Guitarshitnstuff]

I said it before jump is the worst Van Halen song ever written I've always hated it I've been into the band since 78 when I first heard you really got me on the radio and in my brother went out and got Van Halen 2 when it was released and we wore that thing out that's the Van Halen I love

[@BadRonald1]

Jump is not the worse VH song ever written. I don't think you mean that. Their last album has some pretty bad stuff on it and with Gary. But to say Jump is the worst..... nah

[@Guitarshitnstuff]

@@BadRonald1 well as far as the true Van Halen band which is the original four guys jump is the worst. I haven't listened to the last one in a while but considering that those are old Van Halen ideas I mean I didn't like tattoo but I did like the rest of the album I remember jump was a shock when it came out you got to understand if you're old enough to remember I don't know but it was a total shock when I heard that on the radio. but yeah I would agree with you about Van Halen 3 also. Eddie is the greatest rock guitarist ever but like Sammy alluded to Eddie shouldn't be in charge of anything else and Van Halen 3 was totally him from what I've heard.

[@432b86ed]

I felt that way about "Jump" as well - until I heard Rick Beato break it down to its basic parts.

[@reset-xs9ql]

you're entitled to your opinion. but that's nuts. if you haven't heard the backing keyboard track that is buried in the mix.. particularly under the bridge(s) and guitar solo.. (you can hear this b/t/w on Rick Beato's break down of the song) then by all means do so.. these cats can play, i'm convinced, practically anything they wanted, or idea they came up with. the depth of the riffing, groove, agressiveness of the players, Alex's drum track, odd signature and accents in the bridge/solo, playing in the way EVH and AVH did together plus Roth and Mike fashioning this keyboard song into an anthemic 80's pop hit is remarkable. it's really very, very good. hear it again for the first time.. get high if needed..

[@jmartini8875]

You know what? I didn't care for it either. Favorite songs off of 1984, House of Pain, Girl Gone Bad, Drop Dead Legs. Jump? Ahhh man. I still frown on it to this day. Here's how I look at it. It was a total smash hit. Like it or not Ed was right about it. I think it really helped expand their fan base.

[@maxlacrossehighlights6299]

I grew up in the valley in the ‘70s & saw VH (& others) in those clubs. I was 16 in 76 and we drove everywhere to see them. Everything they talk about I got see and will be something I’ll never forget. The guitar store I hung out at, Jose Arredondo worked out of & Eddie’s tech was always in & out of there. He would give us heads up as to where they would be playing & get us in. I got to know Jose pretty well & he had tons of stories. There will never be something like that again. Magical.

[@billbradleymusic]

Nice. The colors of life are awesome! I can relate. The bands passing through for us were Slayer, Testament, Fear Factory etc. I remember hanging out with Dino, taking him boot shopping. We were just kids. 3 of us jammed into my s-10. Going to the mall with someone on tour! Just like what we wanted to do. Rock on brother.

[@BadRonald1]

Eddie's tech, who Rudy ?

[@maxlacrossehighlights6299]

@@BadRonald1 yes. He would bring in things for repair, pick up, etc. very friendly. I’d help load stuff for him. Great guy.

[@walterevans2118]

@@BadRonald1 Rudy was Ed's GUITAR tech.....Jose was someone who did work on Ed's Amplifiers (his Marshall)

[@shawnlittle3184]

Killah, You luck shit. So cool. But I was from Mass around the same time and got to see the Cars break and Boston.jgiles ect. I miss them ,so f*cking bad. The world sucks now compared to then.

[@bradhardisty1652]

I'm glad Greg went into some Roth dynamics within the band. I can say, first hand, my friend and I met Roth post show, VHII Tour Logan Utah stop. Within minutes of the arena being cleared Roth was already in jeans out om the stage, sitting on a road case, troubleshooting with a Roadie, by himself, for about 10 minutes, me and Parrish, 19 and 17, walked with Roth and the Roadie backstage to the hallway. Roth high fived a couple of crew, finally looked at us and said im his show voice, "whadda ya think of the shoe boyz?!". We were a little surprised, kind of stumbled over saying, it was amazing. Then, what I'm guessing is the road Manager passes and Roth said did you get it? He flashes two Ampex large reel boxes. Obviously, a board mix of the show. Finally, Ed comes out of his dressing room. We discuss guitars. But, my point was, Roth got dressed quick and was out touching base with the entire crew. Roth really was and wanted to be aware of all that was going on. He obviously was a big part of the mystique, branding etc. He would spearhead things without waiting for Ed or Alex. He was a huge part of those first few years success as a band.

[@LuisMartinez-ft9or]

Some people love to dismiss Dave as a clown, or a sub-par singer, but DLR was every bit as important to the band as EVH. They were equals. Anyone who says otherwise is a fool.

[@goshgolly8305]

great.

[@heyjarrod]

Great story, love it! Thank you!!! 🎸

[@ministerofdarkness]

This is why Van Halen is the best! PLAY LOUD

[@ronyantz7349]

Totally agree.

[@willd4731]

Van Halen rising is one of the best rock books of the last 20 years.

[@clicheguevara5282]

My dad was on Warner Bros in the late 70s. Ted Templeman pulled him in his office one day after a meeting and said "You've gotta check out this new band! Their guitarist is insane!". ...and that's how dad got to be one of the first few dozen people to hear Van Halen's debut album.

[@Roundtablewithdrew]

Who was your dad?

[@mickdestiny6542]

Wow!

[@msw812]

What did your dad think of Eddie’s playing? I spent much of my teen years in the 80’s trying to convince my dad how great Ed was. He never looked past James Burton and Roy Clark.

[@sambekins]

@@msw812 Hard to compare Roy Clark to anyone and quite simply James Burton influenced much of what we heard and guitarists adopted throughout the 50' 60's. I would think it would be hard to put EVH into focus when you have two players who were just as influential in different periods of time.

[@msw812]

@@sambekins You are exactly right. But not out to trigger and comparing wasn’t in my context. My dad knew good music but it blew me away how he down played Eddie’s music. But I knew Ed was on the same level of greatness as the other two.

[@keithmichael5839]

This was more than two hours long, and it felt like ten minutes to me. I could listen to this content, quite literally, all day long. If I could suspend time and live one period of my life over and over, it would be the late 70s in California, listening to Van Halen and hitting the beach. If you missed that era, you really missed something special.

[@billbradleymusic]

We were California dreaming here in Michigan in the early 80's. As life goes I've grown to understand what a mistake that would've been. Probably fun for a few but detrimental as to the life I lead now.

[@johanrooney5802]

I bet CA was awesome then. What a time I bet.

[@SLiMCHiCKeN5150]

Renoff for President 🤟

[@davidharris4030]

Without a doubt! The first time I heard VH 1 on a 8-track that changed everything. A lot of the rock music I had been listening to become almost like a joke compared to VH! It was more than music it was like a life style combined with the music. It is difficult to articulate what it meant!

[@katiec6935]

This is so insanely GOOOOOD!!!! Thank You Sunset!!! EVH 4 LIFE

[@BassManDan1018]

Every fan has benefited from Greg’s hard work. Incredibly bright and passionate guy. Great interview guys, I love these vids

[@64jazdude]

I had Diver Down way before it was released. Valerie Bertinelli’s brother was in my senior class. Hung out with Eddie & Val at her parents house. Great times!

[@cesarduranstherismor8145]

@@Frip36 LOL

[@andybaldman]

Lol

[@RyanConnell5150]

So between January and March 1982? Cuz they finished recording it only a month before it was released...

[@technicalitems731]

Wow. No sh!t?

[@walterevans2118]

All of Fair Warning was done at Sunset like the 3 albums previous…I think the only VH album partially done at AMIGO studios was DIVER DOWN….The Meanstreet INTRO wasn’t being done on the track Voodoo Queen when I was done in the clubs…The Meanstreet INTRO was created by Ed in spring 1980 a year before it went on Fair Warning. He was first playing it live as part of his Eruption solo on the Women and Children First tour…The song when titled Voodoo queen was born in the 1970s and even had a different chorus from on fair warning. The intro was created in 1980 and the two were grafted onto each other in spring 1981.

[@joes5150]

I’d love to hear from Don Landee too please

[@mikescotch8894]

Yes!! Don Landee👍

[@ronmancuso6209]

Yes Don Landee was a big part of the sound.

[@DavidSmith-is4ph]

I wish Donn would give an interview but he's a recluse.

[@karenhahn8723]

@@mikescotch8894 milk

[@seabertotter4325]

@@karenhahn8723 He and Ted should did amazing work with "Clear Spot".

[@blandopher]

I simply can't get enough of this stuff, it's pure gold for us VH fans and geeks! Greg Renoff is the man! Thank you guys at Sunset Sound, the studio is sacred ground! Keep up the great work!

[@arthurdevre2086]

Thank you to everyone involved putting this online. This was such an important time for VH . I love listening to the timeline

[@heyjarrod]

Hey, I know that guy!!! 😝👍🏻🇺🇸 This is awesome, Greg!!! And I haven’t even watched it yet, ha ha.

[@picachewable]

Van Halen Rising, **excellent** book... must read, people!!! thanks Greg

[@slurpnterps698]

I’m

[@slurpnterps698]

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[@slurpnterps698]

Knoll Ok Ok I’ll

[@leeroden7900]

Both of Greg's books are unmissable. Van Halen rising in particular is an incredible feat of journalism that has documented a lot of information that will soon be lost.

[@markvenuti610]

Funny how he listened to Van Halen in hy school from 1984-1987 but doesn't mention Sammy Hagar or Ted Templeton during the F.U.C.K. album??? Also Montrose and Hagar solo stuff....

[@mjh5437]

@@markvenuti610 Hagar is just a really boring person

[@letmeadow4729]

Here We Go!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@benhunley9215]

The chemistry of VH w Roth really is something difficult to describe but .. when they did Can’t get this stuff no more and me wise magic, it came back after all those years w Hagar. It says a lot about Templeman that he saw that magic. Great conversation! Thanks for sharing it!

[@paulrholland4473]

MWM should have been thier swan song, it packs a whallop!

[@technicalitems731]

@@paulrholland4473 what a bad ass fckn song

[@ts31966]

@@technicalitems731 when I first heard Me Wise Magic on the radio I immediately knew it was Roth with Van Halen. Such a bad ass song. That song was better than everything they had done with Hagar. Van Hagar would be considered a great band if the Roth version of the band had never existed. So everyone knew how good it could be.

[@dancarter482]

@@ts31966 Ironically if it wasn't for Dave the Van-Hagar mess would never have been considered. Nothing against Sammy as a dude but in his interview with Stern, he said he was a fan of VH and totally intimidated by the idea of trying to fill Dave's shoes and when he met the brothers it was so obviously Roth's band and they needed Hagar and his producer 'cause Roth's absence left a HUGE hole.

[@PaulLoughrin]

Thanks so much for this interview, with Greg Renoff. It was fantastic.

[@paulrogers6037]

Has anyone reached out to Michael Anthony about the recording process? Seems like he could shed a lot of light on many things and seems like an easy interview.

[@Roundtablewithdrew]

We’re talking with him. Stay tuned

[@marsazorean62]

No shit.

[@HaXaW5150]

Michael A. is awesome, playing and as a person. I'm mixed on what I heard about how he was treated. Eddie is why I play guitar, but later on I picked up the bass and Michael became someone I looked to- for inspiration.

[@DavidSmith-is4ph]

@@HaXaW5150 I met Mike twice and he's so cool. No attitude whatsoever.

[@HaXaW5150]

@@DavidSmith-is4ph I bet. I would love to meet him myself.

[@Haku_records]

Loving every second of this. Thanks so much for the history lesson

[@websitemad]

You’ve knocked it out the park once more Sunset Sound! Thank you so much for this very insightful interview with Greg, I was glued from start to finish, this video makes a great companion to Greg’s books…😊👌🏻

[@mikewallace1270]

Just finished the book and absolutely loved it. It's amazing that he found all those people that knew the guys in the early days. I didn't think that depth of research was possible. But he pulled it off. A great book!

[@SSN70]

I find it interesting that through this whole conversation Michael Anthony wasn’t really mentioned looking forward to see him talk with you guys but I feel like he should be included in the conversation a lot more, love to know more about his contributions to the songs, the song writing etc. 🍻⚡️👊🏽

[@frankrichards3089]

He is spoken very highly of by Ted in his book a few times

[@markvenuti610]

He doesn't mention Mike or Sammy, who were a bigger part of Van Halen in their future success... Funny how he listened to Van Halen in hy school from 1984-1987 but doesn't mention Sammy Hagar or Ted Templeton during the F.U.C.K. album???

[@smartrn1]

Tremendous interview. Just tremendous. I bought Van Halen Rising. High recommend.

[@eddievantrollen3459]

No surprise Greg Renoff hit it outta the park. Awesome!!! Thanks to everybody involved!!!

[@theruckman]

Have read Greg's VH book TWICE, was better the 2nd time...also listened to the Ted Templman book on Audible, loved it! Thanks Greg!

[@katiec6935]

I listened to the book too. was amazing

[@katiec6935]

@Jeff Taylor no

[@bobravenscraft5376]

Check out Dave's audio. Dave smokes pot first time lol

[@mindeloman]

I read his book. Very amazing and impressive work. From a modern perspective, it's astounding that van halen had to fight so hard to get a record deal and be accepted by a wide audience. Rock was dead. Disco was in. Guitar driven bands were of the past. Ted Templeman and Warner bros. really took a risk. What ended up happening was kicking off guitar driven rock bands that persisted through to the grunge era. Van Halen kicked off 80's rock.

[@miteyoak]

Yes! In the late 70’s the hard rock landscape was rather bleak. Van Halen did exactly what Dave said they were going to do…They saved the world.

[@btu45nh]

I seen Van Halen in 1978 backing up Black Sabbath it was in Portland Me. At the Civic Center. I was a senior in High School. I will never forget it. Van Halen wasnt really well know then but they blew Sabbath out of the water! Back in the day when tixs were under 20 bucks and seating was general addmition. Great times for sure!🎸♨️

[@gossett2006]

JUST BLEW THROUGH the Ted Templeman book and is awesome! So is Van Halen Rising!

[@steveludwig4200]

1:12 - Any dude that said the FIRST time they heard Van Halen was "Jump" has ZERO street cred here.......I want the guy that heard hem AT LEAST before the first album...as in maybe 76 or 77. Hell, I "first" heard them AND saw then April 1978 opening for Ronnie Montrose and Journey. DEAD CENTER front row I bought ALL 14 seats and me and the fellas and gf witnessed the greatest opening set of rock music in our lives....Before that "Montrose" in 73 was the top of that list.....Not surprising that Templeman produced both records...

[@HEQUBISSHEQUBISS]

LOVE these Sunset sound sit downs

[@cytwc]

Really enjoyed this one, particularly the stories about Nicolette Larson

[@aviduser1961]

I was 17 years old when I was given a copy of the brand new debut VH album. Once I dropped that needle everything changed. Strong new sounds from Eddie's guitar work to DL Roth's amazing voice and Alex's innovative drumming really opened my eyes. There was a new group that demanded my full attention. They were doing things a bit differently. They were cutting edge.

[@Murphy_R9]

I was a little youngei was 13 and my older guitar playing cousine bought the record and played it for me and i was totally blown away! I was a drummer at the time but freaked over the guitar playing on the record as well as VH II. after WACF came out i switched to guitar in 1980. Still surprised at myself it took that long?😂

[@aviduser1961]

@@Murphy_R9 Funny, Eddie started out on the drums too.

[@Murphy_R9]

@@aviduser1961 Yeah but unlike eddie who reinvented the guitar i should have stayed on the drums! lol

[@BadRonald1]

@@Murphy_R9 Funny I was 13 also and a Drummer. Still am

[@conorgilles81]

Great interview. The Ted Templeman book is awesome.

[@garagegymgenius6810]

I'm really enjoying this conversation!!!!!

[@AgentXPQ]

1:44:15 In regards to Reggae, this reminds me of a Roth story I read- He said something about being a teenager, and dreaming of stardom, and looking at a poster of Bob Marley. He thought to himself "Someday man, someday. Someday I'm gonna smoke joints that big...".

[@morganawood]

My older brother and me both gave each other Van Halen's first album for Christmas. We were both happy to receive .

[@mickeythompson24]

I appreciate the host and the fantastic insightful questions he has asked. I like all three of these men.

[@davidchris6370]

The =VH= brothers arrival to the U.S. through 1984 should be a movie. Great American story.

[@jimdavignon]

Finally the answer to the VH1 and VH2 sonic difference. Westlake mixing. Been wanting to know that forever. Thank You!

[@SteveBrownROCKS]

This is fantastic. Renoff rocks...he’s a New Jersey dude 🤟🏼⭐️⚡️

[@HeartLover0420]

Yes, please find Ted. 🤓 Enjoyed this very much! Been watching these for a bit now. I'm also a Doors fan, go figure? Lol. 🤣 Thank you guys so much for all this history, and interviews. Much love to you all! ✌💗💯

[@TheDp1965]

Great interview. I read Greg Renoff book Ted Templeman A Platinum Producer's Life in Music... I absolutely could not put the book down. Such a Great read.

[@glengamble526]

23:20 to ‘correct’ Greg, I believe Gene took them into Village Recorders in L.A. first and laid down bed/basic tracks. He then flew them to NYC to complete the tape with guitars and vocals at Electric Lady. And while there, he also showcased them for Bill Aucoin at SIR.

[@DavidSmith-is4ph]

Van Halen Rising is sooooo good. You feel like you were there. I grew up in La Crescenta but I missed that backyard party scene cuz I was too young but I heard the stories. I have the Templeman book but just haven't gotten around to reading it.

[@blak1lyte]

Thanks for this fantastic interview...I'm glued to it! Love all the info... fascinating history... amazing.

[@MusicTherapyLaz]

Really must read his book...I'm reading the "Running with the Devil" one by another author right now... and this one's on my nightstand 2nd in line to read. I bought Diver Down on vinyl when I was 16... then the rest followed shortly after! Van Halen was the soundtrack of our teenage youth, man... the best of times! Great interview and show guys! Thanks for sharing all this cool history! 😎🎸🤘

[@JockeLundgrenTV]

Amazing! Thank you very much, Sunset Sound! 🐝

[@jayzeagerauctioneer]

Great interview. It felt like they were just having a good conversation with incredible behind the scenes insight that few get to see. Greg is easy with his answers and not trying to be a star but more like just talking to the audience. Drew did a great job in not trying to be the star of the show and stepping on the guest but just sitting back and letting them tell their stories.

[@jojomcgee3430]

Unlike the Doug Messenger interviews. According to him he warned EVH to stay away from alcohol and Jimi Hendrix to stay away from drug, was the force behind Templmen and Ostin discovering VH, etc.

[@wgnation351]

I remember when the first album came out. There will never be anything like that feeling of first hearing EVH.

[@glengamble526]

I’d love to see another book from Greg about later-day VH-80’s etc. He’s fantastic.

[@ministerofdarkness]

Great interview gentlemen! Both books are essential reads for music junkies.

[@sonus289]

Reading all the comments, I'm glad you all got to have the late 70's in california with vh!!!! I'm very jelous!!! I was born in 74, vividly remember the music then along with what we all were doin. I remember discovering vh

[@hollylewis5302]

This is a FANTASTIC interview with Greg! Thanks so much! I too hope for a Landee interview! xo

[@e.a.l5960]

YASSSSSSS!!!!!!

[@wendywright5486]

Love it ! You tube channel lost in Vegas has a reaction to "Ain't talkin about Love",it's fun too watch they say Dave has swagger which is absolutely correct! Sammy years were for the mini van crowd;) Dave, was for the muscle car crowd still is! My 13yr old grandson is singing to Little Guitars long after we're done racing around ,VH 1-1984, reminds us we're free & summers here!!

[@galaxieman24]

Awesome interview! Thanks.

[@seanmccall7277]

I started playing guitar in 1978 because my dad brought home Van Halen. Im now 55.. I'm still playing. Thank you Edward Van Halen.. thank you Dad!

[@RandyWillcox]

Drew, it was Eddie's 1972 Lamborghini Miura S on Panama. It was a special factory wide-body model which was very rare. Valerie bought it for him as a wedding present in 1980. It even possessed a vanity plate with their wedding date: APR 11. Paul, the Runnin' With The Devil horns were recorded there. Warren Huart covered that during the Produce Like A Pro VH I re-recording with the kids in 2017. Apparently the cars were arranged in a circle around two SM57s and then they flipped the tape and slowed it down. Just passing on whatever tidbits I can.

[@3sidesofeve711]

David got a bad rap from a lot of people but the brothers stuck with him. He's got a great voice and personality.

[@Theospeak1]

Greg changed forever how I will think about modern music. Van Halen Rising queued me in to the influence Van Halen had on pretty much single handedly resurrecting hard rock for the next 15 years, and grunge & alternative to this day. The rise of Quiet Riot, Ozzy's solo career, Def Leppard's popularity, Priest hitting stride, Maiden, Krokus, the reign of rock on the strip throughout the 80s and into the 90s, all of that was primed by the influence & success of Van Halen. I had never thought about it that way before. Disco, soft rock, punk and wave were the only things picking up momentum at the time. Can you image those having framed 80's and 90's music? Grunge and alternative would have never even happened the way they did.

[@eddiejr540]

Hey...is the VH book worth a read??

[@dvg4104]

Hard Rock (especially Heavy Metal) existed outside the mainstream. By 1978 when the first VH LP came out, we had big bands like Queen, Led Zep, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, KISS, Rush, Ted Nugent, Heart, Boston, Kansas and others. The NWOBMH bands were already formulating their sound. Judas Priest was a recording, touring band. Iron Maiden was a gigging band. UFO and Scorpions were recording and touring. Van Halen's first tour was in support of Journey. Disco and pop owned radio. Hard rock bands did their thing outside the radio & tv thing, with an occasional appearance of a heavy band on Midnight Special or Don Kirschner's Rock Concert. Before MTV, USA Network had show called Night Flight which mostly featured new wavebands, but on occasion showed a hard rock band. What Van Halen did when they came along was cut the fat. One thing VH picked up from punk music was to keep the songs short and energetic. When they hit the stage as an opening act, they burst on blitzkrieg style.

[@mjh5437]

I wouldn`t blame Van Halen for all that Grunge junk

[@kittortuga2720]

Killer content. For us old Van Halen fans (born early 60s), Greg's book was a journey back to growing up in SoCal in the 70s and the fun that ensued. Tell Greg the sequel to Ted's book is Donn Landee. Say please. Well done Greg!

[@topJimmyP1984]

Awesome guys, can't get enough. Thanks!!

[@hollylewis5302]

Two of my unfulfilled questions that I'm dying to know the answers to are: 1. Is there any audio anywhere of Eddie singing lead vocals in Mammoth? 2. What songs did Templeman sing BGVs in Eddie's place at Sunset?

[@CCerwin]

Ok Ted it’s time, 1972 here and can not wait for ever

[@lindaellen808]

So great to see Greg Renoff talking here ,since I have both books being a fan of V H /Dave.

[@KurtS5150]

Great show guys. Greg is a true pro & the fans out their want more!!!! Keep this content coming @sunsetsoundstudios

[@mattconrad5150]

Would love to see Alex in to talk with you guys when he feels like he's ready

[@mattconrad5150]

Michael Anthony would be great to hear from also

[@jamesmorris223]

@Artimus Swanso kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4C3mpeqpqxggdE

[@jamesmorris223]

@Artimus Swanso whaddya mean settle down? I didn't say a word.

[@jamesmorris223]

@Artimus Swanso Haha.

[@joneejonee]

YES!

[@massapower]

Get TEMPLEMAN in there ! 😎🤟

[@gerbs304]

Thanks sooo much for all this early VH history!! Great that Greg has his PHD in history... Even greater that his interests took a quick left into Rock n Roll history, then down the VH rabbit-hole!! Great work, Greg!!! I read/scrolled way down, well into the comments and found some very illuminating things... I have been one of those who although, was an instant VH fan when I heard my 1st taste... Runnin w/ the Devil, after the V Hagar era, always thought Dave was just an Ass-Clown of the highest order!! But! Even Sammy gave DLR props in a popular interview, saying that Ed was never a leader of the band, early days, it was Dave who lead them, later it was he, Sammy who took the reins!! So a lot of what I heard/read here today, goes much further into backing up those facts... there certainly was more to Dave than meets the eye!! Sooo, although I do still believe he became an ass clown after the fact, I certainly never gave him props for being anything more than a front-man for the band!! I still have much more to say/share about my VH background... but this has been long enuf, so I just want to say thanks for all the insight into their early days! I do certainly hope y'all follow this up with the Van-Hagar days as well!! Would love to hear Mikey's input, as well as Alex's if he could ever be coaxed in!! Thanks so much, y'all are excellent!! CHEERS!!

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

I was 15 in 1978 when the first album came out. Just missed seeing them supporting Black Sabbath the same year. Changed my life musically forever...

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

Will love Van Halen forever...

[@williamgrubbs2954]

I was 18 in 1978 and was lucky enough to see VH at that Black Sabbath concert at Anaheim Stadium in Southern California. As I recall that was the one they parachuted (allegedly) into the arena. Nevertheless they leveled the place. I think Boston headlined the show. That was a great year for music.

[@BadRonald1]

@@williamgrubbs2954 Lucky , I was 13 and remember the Ad in the Los Angeles Times Calendar section. Black Sabbath , Van Halen Anaheim Stadium . I wanted to go so bad then they played Long Beach Arena missed that one not by choice. And finally seen them at the L.A. Forum 81 Fair warning Tour. Absolutely the best concert I'd ever seen.

[@MrSalinas5150]

Fantastic Greg. Thank you!!

[@ronstewart6362]

I can't tell u how many arguments I've been in over the years about DLR VH and Sam VH. I would always say Sam was awesome. They wrote some Great songs but them DLR Albums were just magic. Him and Ed had a John and Paul thing going. Loved both but the DLR VH is Immortal 👍

[@Bpjames]

Agreed, they are interesting debates to listen to but the fact remains that the original Van Halen is just iconic - the sound, the creativity, the personalities, the energy! Both versions of VH are a part of the cliche'd "soundtrack of my life" so it's all good to me, different parts of my childhood and teen years, but just as meaningful. Like having a dad and step-dad, you can love em both.

[@StephenFinsel]

I read somewhere that when DLR had the band practicing in his parents house, some record execs came in for a listen. They tried to get Roth out and Sammy in right from the start. I personally think the DLR years were the real VanHalen, VanHagar was a lineup for the record company. No doubt, both guys rock, but Dave was all in and a true voice for VH.

[@ronstewart6362]

@@StephenFinsel Ted templeman went and seen them at the whiskey or one of those LA clubs and was blown away. When they went into the studio they all were worried about Roth's voice but thank God they were smart enough to just see how the album would do. They did try to get Sammy from Montrose but templeman said there was something about Dave as a writer and showman that he would have just build around his strength instead of just focusing on his voice. The 70s were crazy. The rest is History 👍🎸⚡

[@sunnibird]

They touched on that in the interview. Dave's lyrics and melody ideas in the early days were top notch. Sammy was ok at lyrics at best. Wouldn't have been the same, not even close.

[@ronstewart6362]

@@Frip36 that's fair 👍

[@atomicpete]

Great stuff. Greg's a cool guy. Loved the cowbell tidbit. cheers!

[@seanclancy918]

Kim Fowley and Rodney Bingenheimer helped VH so much

[@diegorhoenisch62]

Doesn't make Kim Fowley a more sympathetic character.

[@orvil9223]

1978, I was 8 years old. I used to share a bedroom with my older brother. When he would not be home, I would turn his stereo on and listen to Runnin' With The Devil - on 8 track.

[@BillSeipel]

Would pay good money to hear the Michael McDonald version of 'I'll Wait'.

[@BoostYourPerformance]

Awesome lads, just awesome, thank you 🎸🤘🏻🎸🤘🏻🎸

[@willdenham]

I couldn't agree with Ted more when he said that Dave was indispensable to VH. Hagar may be a great technical singer, yet Dave was the persona of VH.

[@chebrneck]

The keyboardist for Captain Beyond was Reese Wynans who went on the play for SRV.

[@sammyvh11]

I heard this band first diving to college in 78. I thought wow these guys are as good as Creme, Zep, Purple.

[@soundtechniques3047]

Phenomenal!!!

[@kjw7815]

Great stories. Thanks for the journal of VH and more.

[@kayentevla9762]

Greg: Loved Van Halen Rising; thank you so much for a wonderful and detailed insight into VH. Fully agree with where you ended the story - we can all take it from there! Also I now truly understand why "I'll Wait" was always my least favourite DLR-era song... But even 10 months on, I lament that SO MUCH history is being unveiled only after the genius that was Eddie departed.

[@Ralph1953]

And the slapjack at 40.00 while he's talking about You Really Got Me. The Vibe.

[@GuidoStonglio]

The major single in very heavy rotation on almost all rock stations was Dance the Night Away. It was being played from New England to South Florida on the East Coast of USA. Summer of 79 song.❤ . Every hour 24 hours!

[@garyleesjukejoint9510]

Thank you so much for doing this. I enjoyed this very much. Van Halen is my favorite rock group of all time. Think about King Edward every day. R.I.P. Eddie. So many great memories.

[@letmeadow4729]

Drew is soooo cute. Love watching him talk music in this hot pic place . Great book Greg!!

[@fretbuzz59]

Interview conducted at Sunset Sound. You'd think they could have put a compressor across the output to even out the level.

[@jameswest4259]

Thanks so much for this video and long live Eddie Van Halen 🤘

[@fab.silva1119]

Renoff is definitely a cool dude. I especially liked his performance in Slapshot.

[@thebudge333]

Duh. Lol

[@AllenGarberGuitarFun]

Greg said the final overdubs on the first album and “Eruption” were done on “September 7th and 8th of 1978” but he meant 1977…

[@Laynesuncle25]

Was any of eruption as we know it recorded while Don was rolling tape on his own? or did they let Eddie know the tape was rolling and to start over?

[@Roundtablewithdrew]

Don heard what he was doing and turned the tape machine one

[@shawncosmos5431]

I was on the way to school with a pal who had a car. He popped in an ‘eight track’ of VH 1 as it had just been released 1978…… ‘ain’t talking bout love’ started up from the beginning. I remember it like yesterday….I’m 60 now. I had just turned 15. My exact words were’wtf is that’ … Still amazed at that record…

[@timw.6910]

This is VH backstory gold! But I have to clarify (for those that don’t already know), the engine rev sound on “Panama” is NOT a 1970 Ferrari, it’s the engine sound of EVH’s 1970 Lamborghini Miura. 😎👍🏼

[@steveinmidtown]

this thing made that sound? www.motortrend.com/vehicle-genres/lamborghini-miura-history-specifications-variants/

[@timw.6910]

Yep, that’s the one!

[@cbsundance]

Geeks galore😂

[@vitosantangelo1]

48:00 *September '77 ...I say now, here' yeahhhh! (In my best DLR voice) circa '83 😄

[@bryanmcdermott4204]

Super cool Renoff did all this work. Much respect from a fellow reader of liner notes.

[@duckydrummer6331]

I got Rising from Half Price Books and I noticed a lot of it contained information that i had already read in magazines years before, so I was a little dissappointed. According to Paul Stanley's book Face The Music, Paul and Lita Ford had gone to a club to see The Boyz. He says a group called Van Halen had opened for The Boyz and he was so impressed that he brought Gene Simmons with him the following night to see VH. During an intermission, Gene excused himself from the table and went backstage to talk to VH. When he came back to the table, he didn't tell Paul about speaking to VH. I guess Gene wanted VH for himself only, ha.

[@theartist124]

Renoff's cup keeps looking like the Fair Warning album cover to me🤣 Here's a wild one for everyone- 1:51:52 Ever wonder why I'll Wait sounds like such a different VH song?

[@coolhatadventures8111]

I remember dancing after our high school games to jump. Wow, what an amazing memory